This phrase perfectly described Hyūga Daiki.
"Wha…"
Seeing the Hyūga boy's dead-eyed expression as he clung to the tree in humiliation, the gathered Uchiha clansmen were stunned speechless.
No wonder the Hyūga had come in such a rage—and even brought their clan head. This was why.
Imagine if someone had forced one of their Uchiha to do something like this—they'd mobilize the entire clan to burn the perpetrator's house down, twice.
Now, seeing the truth, some of the Uchiha couldn't help but feel… pity for the Hyūga.
In this case, their reputation was not only dragged through the mud—it was buried and left to rot.
Because let's be honest—bad news travels faster and further than good news.
"Poor bastards," someone murmured.
Fugaku turned stiffly toward Rukawa, who stood beside him.
Good grief… so this is your so-called 'small lesson'?!
You basically took the Hyūga Clan's pride, spat on it, then shoved it face-first into the dirt and stomped it flat!
In that moment, Fugaku genuinely thought Hiashi had the patience of a saint.
If it had been him, he'd have unleashed Susanoo and razed the enemy's house to the ground already.
Rukawa noticed Fugaku's expression and gave an innocent shrug.
To be honest, now he remembered: he had used that Hyūga kid to test his Genjutsu… and forgot to set a time limit.
From how furious the Hyūga were, he guessed the guy probably took his "performance" to the middle of town.
Welp, not my fault, Rukawa thought.
That guy picked a fight first, flaunting his Genin status. Honestly, letting him live was already merciful.
"Fugaku!"
Hiashi's voice roared again.
"You think your petty little apology is enough for the humiliation my Hyūga Clan suffered?!"
"Uh…" Fugaku winced. His temples throbbed.
How the hell was he supposed to handle this mess?
Eventually, he gave a helpless smile.
"Yeah, Hiashi, I agree… Rukawa may have gone a bit too far."
"How about this? You name your condition. As long as it's within reason, I'll agree to it."
Hiashi coldly smirked. With a glance, he signaled Hyūga Makino to step forward.
"Our condition is simple," Makino declared loudly.
"Hand over the brat who caused all this."
"Don't worry—we won't kill him. Just… teach him a lesson."
"For example, strip him down, hang him from the village gate for a day and night.
Once that's done, we'll consider the matter resolved. How's that?"
Hiashi had discussed this with his people before coming.
Their clan's reputation had been completely trashed.
No amount of monetary compensation could restore their image.
Besides, the Hyūga were one of the village's two great clans.
What the Uchiha had, they had too. So compensation was meaningless.
The only way to make things even was to hit back with equal humiliation.
If both clans were disgraced, at least the Hyūga wouldn't be alone in shame.
"I'm being more than fair here, Fugaku," Hiashi added smugly.
"This way, your son learns a lesson, and we restore some balance."
Fugaku: "Alright. I agree."
Hiashi snorted. "So you're refusing—what?! You… agreed?!"
He blinked in disbelief.
"Say that again!" he demanded.
Fugaku, calm and composed, repeated himself:
"I said—I agree to your terms."
"However, if you want to take Rukawa, you'll have to do it yourself.
The Uchiha Clan won't interfere."
With a wave, he signaled his clansmen to step aside and give Rukawa space.
Many of them had witnessed Rukawa's strength firsthand during the clan meeting.
Even those who hadn't heard quickly from others.
Still, some remained skeptical.
A seven-year-old brat? Defeat a Jonin?
No way.
Rukawa, now left alone, glanced at Fugaku with a look of disbelief.
Fugaku simply gave him a "you got yourself into this—fix it yourself" kind of look.
"Hmph!"
Makino sneered.
"They think we can't handle one little brat?"
"Clan Leader, allow me to bring the kid in myself!"
Hiashi gave a small nod.
Makino was a Jonin—well-known and reliable.
Handling an academy student should be a cakewalk.
With a flash, he vanished—then reappeared before Rukawa in mere seconds.
"You've got to learn: every action has a price," Makino said coldly.
He reached toward Rukawa with one hand, planning to grab him by the collar.
"Right," Rukawa said, hands still in his pockets.
"But for me, no one can make me pay any price."
"Hah! Cocky brat!"
Makino sneered.
"Let's see if you're still this smug when you're hanging buck-naked at the village gate!"
He lunged.
Meanwhile, Hyūga Daiki—who had been slumped in despair—suddenly lit up.
Yes! YES!
Serves you right, Rukawa!
Let's see how you like being humiliated in public like I was!
You'll be worse off than me! Naked! On display! Glorious!
But just as Daiki fantasized his revenge…
BOOM!!!
A deafening explosion tore through the clearing. Dust shot skyward, engulfing both figures in a cloud of debris.
No one could see what happened.
When the dust finally cleared, Hyūga Daiki's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
No… no way…